becks

I would charge the going rate for the breed plus etra for the amount of extra time and added expenses. I then show people the mats that have been clipped off in huge strips, tell them how it feels to the dog as it moves and lies down. I will also explain what brushes to use and how to use them, it is amasing how many people with matted dogs get like that because they just don't know how to look after the coat. Of course some people just don't care but i find they tend to make an excuse to avoid the helpful 'how to' talk.

I have lost count of the number of dogs brought to me with a bald stripe down the back where the husband decided to give the dog a summer haircut only to end up with his clippers packing up. I've used Osters for many years and been very happy with them.

If you want him fluffy, better to have the groomer bath him at the salon as it is easier to blast out all the dead coat and fluff up the hair at this time. As the others have said - you must tell the groomer about any health issues, they won't have an issue with a little poo (as the saying goes $hit happens!) Some groomers will let you stay but dogs can play up for the audience and they make out the groomer is nasty to them and need mummy to rescue them. Once left dog settle well and watching the door you left via gives them something else to focus on. I never let the dogs jump off the table, though i do have a couple of owners who stay with their dogs and they let them leap off the table before I can lower it!! I would suggest that you also ask the groomer to show you how to groom your dog properly so you can keep his coat in good condition.

Sorry Eridor. Would be nice to see you at Crufts one year. Will try to see your pup over here on saturday if he's at Darlington.

And don't throw sticks as they can cause serious damage to a dogs throat or eyes etc.

I really like the top one and the 2 red outfits, fancy sending them over to the UK? I'm badly in need of new outfits for club champ shows and Crufts

My scissors are nearly all roseline, great price, balance and keep a sharp edge for a long time

a puppy from my last litter was regularly cocking his leg before he went to his new home at 10 weeks old! I have another pup here whose knees are getting more bent as he gets older(4 months now), while he pees. They are all different, it's just we humans percieve it as the normal thing for a male to do and it is amazing how many people are proud when their boy does start to cock his leg.

jesomil, were you offered an operation for your girl, to fix the shunt?

I was just wondering if anyone knows how this is inherited or is it just one of those things that occurs? - refering here to the extra hepatic liver shunt.

why is it the owners of the snappy dogs want to bring them in more often?

bet he felt heaps better with that off. Did the owners tell you he was well brushed?

If you can get the Crazy Dog brand over there, they do a shampoo and matching conditioning spray called baby dog which smells of baby powder - they also produce a few other fragrances as well which are really nice. Johnsons Velvet coat is also a nice perfume/conditioner.

tinfoil on the couch you want to keep the dogs off can sometimes work as they don't like the noise/feel when they jump on.

Ask different groomers and you will get different answers LOL! I would go with the Oster clippers (I find the wahl clippers to flimsy for thick coats). I would use a 7f blade, just make sure the coat is clean, dry and brushed out and it will give you a lovely smooth finish. If you want to take the coat shorter you can also use this blade against the growth which will have the same length as a 10# blade

Sometimes things can be to obvious to notice Pup is also getting to the age when Bella will no longer let him get away with baby things and will start to expect him to toe the line. At times like this, unless you see her going to far, it is better to let her put him in his place.

Why don't you just lock the dog door at night? He is old enough to be able to hold on all night now.

Something that was suggested in the dog paper recently for unexplained rashes - 1-2 tablespoons or raw/frozen/tinned spinach blitzed in the blender added to the food once a day and the area washed with Ekoneen

Could she be eating her own poo?

And I would just add to the above BE CONSISTANT if you keep trying different methods the pup will have great difficulty in understanding what you are trying to train.

I'd get them taken off. How serious the op is will depend on how well rooted the nails are, some are just held on by a bit of skin, others are heading into the bone. If removed under GA the nails should never grow back, it sometimes happens when the pups are done at a few days old. I have one in my litter now that has regrown his dew claw but it is just sitting in the skin and will be a simple snip to have it removed when his new owners have him desexed.

I agree, the best way to learn something is to have the person infront of you who is able to show you and where necessary correct or sharpen up your technique.

You said " so if the pup cries i go and get her " So you are training her to cry if she wants attention and no-one is around. It is very possible she will do this during the night as well when you are at work.

I trim a poodle where the owners like a fluffy face. It is now done to look like a poodle that has had the face clipped about 6-8 weeks earlier! This means you can take it short underneath the ears to allow air in and the dog still looks like a poodle rarther then a funny coloured bichon.

sivaro, isn't your lamb trim with a difference known as the 'scandinavian trim'?